As I write this article, I am sitting with the cool nighttime summer breeze wafting thru my house. I start thinking about the almost-past Bay Area summer that is staring to yield to the fall season. The days are getting noticeably shorter. The MLB season is only five weeks away from the playoffs with the Dodgers, Angels, and Giants still in the hunt for a playoff spot. The college football season is going to start this first weekend of September. Alas, the Bay Area summer of BBQ picnics, community festivals, summer early evening hikes, short and long vacations, and non-school-time-light traffic is about to give way to having to wear a jacket, less daylight, and tougher commute times…
However, a mere four months from now, the NSC will be in the midst of a new ski season. As many of you know by now, the weeklong Whistler trip, to be held January 24-31, 2010, promises to be an exciting prelude to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The NSC will be visiting Whistler, one of the main Olympic venues, just before the world converges to the Games. We will be staying at The Legends condo complex right at the base of the Creekside gondola where all Olympic downhill participants will be riding up to their destinies a mere two weeks after we leave for home. Even during these dog days of summer, signups for this trip are brisk as many astute NSC members are aware of the signup deadline of 9/30/2009. We are going to have a grand time so sign up early and don’t miss this trip.
NSC Trip Director David Jensen and the Board have been working hard to flesh out the rest of the NSC ski season. You will soon see details on an exciting Long Weekend trip to Mt Bachelor, OR scheduled for March 2010. This trip will resurrect an old method of getting to Bachelor; we will be riding a train from the Bay Area! There are some NSC veterans that will remember that this itinerary was used by the NSC in the early history of the club. So sign up ASAP as the flyer appears here and it looks like this trip will be very popular.
Also, David Jensen has been working diligently to hammer out the details of what looks to be four reasonably priced Tahoe weekend ski trips via bus. Please look forward to the details coming here soon.
The Board has been working very hard to kick off the NSC fall season with a whole bunch of fun non-ski activities which all have the aim of attracting new members and getting everyone excited about the upcoming ski season.
On Sunday, September 13, Angie Fong will lead a tour group to the cerebral exploration of the world of the “Lords of the Samurai” at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The tour will be a private NSC tour led by a docent and promises to shed light on the many artifacts and the lifestyle of those famous warriors. The tour is almost full so please waste no time in signing up now.
For those of you that want to start getting their ski legs in shape, Dick Wong will be leading a NSC hike at Picchetti Racnh-Stevens Creek Park on Sunday, September 20. This low key hike is an excellent way for you to start getting in shape for those winter hill sessions we will be enjoying in the winter.
On Saturday, October 3, Karen Soo and Curtis Otaguro will lead a mellow bike trip on the Coyote Creek trail in South San Jose. This dedicated multi-use trail is an ideal second stage winter conditioning step for those who do not desire to ride bikes on streets with cars. Sign up and also enjoy one of Karen’s legendary lunches!
The next weekend, David Tom is hosting a NSC Bocce Ball event in Los Gatos on Sunday, October 11. This event is an ideal low key event to introduce your friends to the great group that comprises the NSC. The price includes appetizers and, of course, great Bocce ball competition.
Hoyt Nelson will lead another NSC hike at Huddart Park near Woodside on the Peninsula on Saturday, October 17. This moderate hike is about 5 miles in length and will highlight the incredible fall scenery we have here in the Bay Area.
On Saturday, November 7, Greg Wong will lead us in “NSC at the Races” at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley. Price includes a great dinner and for the first few who sign up, a picture with a wining horse. I don’t know which end of the horse you get to be seen with. Sign up and maybe you will win enough for a future NSC event!
Finally, mark your calendar for the NSC Preseason event to be held on Saturday, November 14. Among dinner and a NSC Bunco tournament, I will give status and info on the Whistler trip at the General Meeting.
So as you can see, we have a great list of things in store leading up to the ski season. See you there!
